SETD Annual Report 2018

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ANNUAL report southeast tennessee development

chattanooga area regional council of governments

cares • works • builds

2018

celebrating 50 years

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contents SETD OVERVIEW AND CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 5 AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND DISABILITY

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 13 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 18 SETD PARTNERS 26

SETD FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

As of 6.30.18

FY 2018 operating budget

$7,092,550

Pass through budget

$8,312,750

Total assets & liabilities

$10,526,474

Full-time staff

(Average) 66

LightBulb-Gray-Crop photo by: H202 Deisgn & Development Inc.

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southeast tennessee development 4

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN On October 14, 1968, development districts were created by Executive Order to encourage interlocal cooperation for the purpose of comprehensive planning and economic development. Projects resulting from regional collaboration over these 50 years have transformed our region and have included the completion of I-75 and I-24, Tennessee River Bridges at Highway 30 and 60, Regional Skills Centers, Rural Emergency Rooms, the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant, the formation of the Hiwassee Utility Commission, the redevelopment of the Volunteer Army Ammunitions Plant site and the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Event on the Ocoee River, to name only a few of our bright spots. Our annual report this year will celebrate our 50th anniversary and highlight the continuing work and bright ideas that build our communities and our region!

- D. Gary Davis, Bradley Co. Mayor The Chattanooga Area Regional Council of Governments, doing business as the Southeast Tennessee Development District, is owned and governed by local county and municipal governments throughout Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

Who are we?

We are people-centered progress in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

We elevate how we CARE, how we BUILD, how we WORK by partnering with people in need. We work to improve the lives of those who live in this region.

We cost-effectively provide staffing resources to local governments and deliver programs and services to the region. This forges a very unique partnership with local governments, creating a climate of success for individuals, families and businesses.

How do we get our job done?

We love collaboration.

Our work is accomplished by utilizing local, state, federal and private funds to deliver programs and services through 3 core business functions: SETCARES: Aging & Disability SETWORKS: Workforce Development SETBUILDS: Community & Economic Development What’s our promise to you?

We promise we will never forget what it feels like to be frustrated by bureaucratic systems.

We promise to listen to your needs and develop the smartest plan possible to help meet your goals by resourcing government programs, funding and services.

BETH JONES Executive Director 423.424.4241 bjones@sedev.org

CHUCK HAMMONDS Asst. Executive Director/ CED Director 423.424.4264 chammonds@sedev.org

board of directors

July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018

Bledsoe County Gregg Ridley; County Mayor Philip Cagle; Mayor, City of Pikeville Bradley County D. Gary Davis; County Mayor Walter Goode; Mayor, City of Charleston Tom Rowland; Mayor, City of Cleveland Catoosa County Steven Henry; County Chairman Earl Gray; Mayor, City of Fort Oglethorpe Nick Millwood; Mayor, City of Ringgold Dade County Ted Rumley; County Executive Alex Case; City of Trenton Grundy County Michael Brady; County Mayor Jana Barrett; Mayor, Town of Altamont Glen Jennings; Mayor, Town of Beersheba Springs Preston Miller; Mayor, City of Coalmont Kelly Gibbs; Mayor, City of Gruetli-Laager David Sampley; Mayor, Town of Monteagle Daniel Crabtree; Mayor, Town of Palmer Larry Phipps; Mayor, Town of Tracy City Hamilton County Jim Coppinger; County Mayor Andy Berke; Mayor, City of Chattanooga Katie Lamb; Mayor, City of Collegedale Brent Lambert; Mayor, City of East Ridge Ken Wilkerson; Mayor, City of Lakesite Carol Mutter; Mayor, Town of Lookout Mountain John Roberts; Mayor, City of Red Bank Janet Kelly Jobe; Mayor, City of Ridgeside Chris Howley; Mayor, Town of Signal Mtn. Robert Cochran; Mayor, City of Soddy-Daisy Bill Trohains; Mayor, Town of Walden Marion County David Jackson; County Mayor Paul Wayne Evans; Mayor, Town of Jasper Rex Presnell; Mayor, Town of Kimball David Sampley; Mayor, Town of Monteagle Mark Myers; Mayor, City of New Hope Jerry Godsby; Mayor, Town of Orme

Marion County Continued Dwight Richards; Mayor, Town of Powell’s Crossroads Virgil Holder; Mayor, South Pittsburg Cindy Holland Easterly; Mayor, City of Whitwell McMinn County John Gentry; County Mayor Chuck Burris; Mayor, City of Athens Sandra Lowe-Day; Mayor, Town of Calhoun James Cox; Mayor, Town of Englewood Gene Keller; Mayor, City of Etowah Lois Preece; Mayor, City of Niota Meigs County Bill James; County Mayor Jeff Landrum; Mayor, Town of Decatur Polk County Hoyt Firestone; County Executive Jerry Stephens; Mayor, Town of Benton Kathy Stewart; Mayor, City of Copperhill Doug Collins; Mayor, City of Ducktown Rhea County George Thacker; County Executive Gary Louallen; Mayor, City of Dayton Jimmy Massengill Mayor, Town of Graysville Billy Ray Patton; Mayor, Town of Spring City Sequatchie County D. Keith Cartwright; County Executive Dwain Land; Mayor, City of Dunlap Walker County Shannon Whitfield; Sole County Commissioner Raymond Crowder; City of Chickamauga Andy Arnold; Mayor, City of LaFayette David Bennett; City of Lookout Mtn. Teddy Harris; Mayor, City of Rossville Members At-Large Avery Johnson, Cleveland City Council Erskine Oglesby, Chattanooga City Council Warren Mackey, Hamilton County Commission Legislative Senator Mike Bell Representative Ron Travis Senator Bo Watson

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area agency on aging & disability

cares • works • builds

We believe that caring for each other is about empowerment.

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www.sedev.org

setcares • services

area agency on aging & disability

For information and setcares works hand in hand with you to navigate the healthcare insurance system, whether its Medicare, Medicaid, or another program.

assistance call

1-866-836-6678 @SETAAAD Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability

8 CHOICES 8 Health Promotion Programs 8 Information and Referral 9 National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) 9 Nutrition Program-Home Delivered & Congregate Meals 10 OPTIONS for Community Living 10 Public Guardian for the Elderly 10 Regional Senior Centers 10 Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) 10 Title III Homemaker Program 11 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 11 SETAAAD New Programs:

Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse (CREVAA)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Volunteer Assisted Transportation

Edison ID #73832

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ANNUAL REPORT

The Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAAD) across the state serve as the Single Point of Entry (SPOE) into Tennessee’s Long Term Care System. They are your one source for help and information.

We as the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (SETAAAD) provide aging and disability services for older adults and adults over 21 with a disability. We believe that caring for each other is about empowerment, and we are available to assist those in the following counties: Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie .

During Fiscal Year (FY)18, the SETAAAD handled a total of 9,949 information and referral inquires and participated in over 30 community events sharing information and resources throughout Southeast Tennessee.

CREATIVE AGING GRANT This past year, SETAAAD received a $5,000 grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission in part to provide Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) string and wind quintets to each of the ten senior centers we support. The project soon took on the name the Lifelong Learning Musical Caravan. The 10 concert series throughout the Southeast Tennessee region was a unique opportnity for seniors who often lack resources to travel and purchase tickets for a conventional orchestra performance to experience a classical music concert in their own community and at no cost.

The partnership with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO) provided a platform for cultural and artistic programming to be offered in a nontraditional setting, which included many rural and low-income communities. Concerts were held in each county of the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability’s (SETAAAD) service area and benefited a total of 343 seniors and community members.

CHOICES In home services for seniors 65 years of age and older or adults 21 years of age and older who have physical disabilities. CHOICES receipents must qualify for home care through Medicaid but can still live safely at home. Approximately 1,948 persons were screened for CHOICES eligibility.

HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS Wellness workshops for all senior citizens. Activities include group discussions, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, sharing practical solutions and exercise training. Most of the evidence-based workshops are offered at area Senior Centers which are considered to be focal points where persons 60+ participate in a wide array of activities. This fiscal year, we have offered numerous health promotion classes serving 261 individuals throughout the Southeast Tennessee region.

www.setaaad.org 8

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL 1-866-836-6687 One source for help and information serving as the Single Point of Entry (SPOE) into Tennessee’s Long Term Care System.

SETAAAD handled a total of 9,949 information and referral inquires.

AGING AND DISABILITY

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM (NFCSP) Provides case management and respite services to full-time caregivers. Assistance and support may be offered to caregivers of persons 60 years of age and older and caregivers of persons of any age who have Alzheimer’s disease. 119 persons were assisted during FY18.

NUTRITION PROGRAM- HOME DELIVERED & CONGREGATE MEALS Provide noon-time meals and realted nutrition services to older individuals in a variety of settings including congregate facilities such as senior centers, or by home-delivery to older homebound individuals. Approximately 889 individuals received concregate meals and 816 received home delivered meals.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF TENNESSEE HELPS MEAL CLIENTS The BlueCross 2017 Corporate Mentoring Program participants chose to address the challenge of senior hunger for their first service project. Participants partnered with SETAAAD staff and volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels.

As part of BlueCross’s initiative to help the homebound in the Chattanooga area, mentees hosted several events including a cupcake drive with all proceeds benefitting the Meals on Wheels Program.

Mentees also spearheaded a Pack the Pantry event the week of November 6-10. Staff members were asked to bring in nonperishable food items for distribution and netted enough donations from staff to provide a care package of non-perishable food to all hot meal delivery recipients in the Hamilton County area. #SHARETHELOVE Exciting news! For the tenth year running, Meals on Wheels America participated in the Subaru Share the Love Event. In the past nine years, Subaru of America has donated over $12 million to Meals on Wheels—equivalent to more than 1.7 million meals to seniors across the country!

As a member of Meals on Wheels America, the SETAAAD Meals on Wheels program is proud to have participated in the Subaru of America, Inc.’s annual Share the Love Event to help raise critical funds needed to support our local seniors. From fall 2017 through January 2, 2018, Subaru donated $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charity. Meals on Wheels of America is one of four national participating charities, and as a Member of Meals on Wheels of America, SETAAAD received a share of the revenue earned in Tennessee.

SETAAAD collaborated with the local dealer, Kelly Subaru and earned $6,856.95 by participating in the #SHARETHELOVE event. We are thankful to Subaru and its retailers for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve.

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ANNUAL REPORT

OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING OPTIONS is a totally state funded program that makes it possible for senior and younger disabled adults (19 years old and up) who need minimal services to remain at home. Approximately 270 individuals received services such as Case Management, Homemaker and Personal Care.

PUBLIC GUARDIAN FOR THE ELDERLY Serves individuals through court appointment. All financial, medical and personal care decisions are made by the public guardian. Throughout this year, the program served 78 clients and managed assets of $327,750.

The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability hosted Community Forums across the state in response to legislation that established a Public Guardian workgroup. The workgroup was charged with the responsibility to examine and explore the existing system and resources, current and future caseloads, accessability to Public Guardianship services and best practices from other states with similar programs. Hosting one of the largest forums in the state, Southeast Tennessee met on September 26 at the Family Justice Center in Chattanooga with approximately 40 people in attendance.

REGIONAL SENIOR CENTERS Focal points in each of our counties, offering education/training, health education, physical fitness and recreation activities. Approximately 1,955 individuals participated in the numerous activities offered at senior centers.

RELATIVE CAREGIVER PROGRAM (RCP) A Department of Children’s Services program, serving grandparents and other relatives raising children. 212 adults and 300 children received assistance through the program.

CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER December 2, 2017, The Relative Caregiver Program hosted families for an enrichment event aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. The 183 attendees enjoyed food, fellowship, and fun as they cruised down the Tennessee River.

Santa Clause made a special visit to surprise the children!

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY DAY On June 7, 2018 The Relative Caregiver Program hosted an enrichment activity for its families at Lake Winnepesaukah. This was one of the most attended RCP hosted events; 52 families - a total of 193 participants.

TITLE III HOMEMAKER Helping elderly with housekeeping and grocery shopping. 133 persons received homemaker services this year.

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AGING AND DISABILITY

STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP) Provides free and unbiased counseling and assistance to persons with questions or concerns regarding Medicare and health insurance. SHIP achieved 14,167 calls and one-on-one appointments since July 1, 2017.

SHIP TRAINING AND ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD The Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging SHIP staff attended a TCAD/SHIP Training Event. They were recognized for highest attendance at Outreach Events, highest attendance at Enrollment Events and for meeting all Performance Measures (five of five).

Open Enrollment falls between October 15 through December 7, 2017 and the time when Medicare beneficiaries can review and compare their Medicare options. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) trains volunteers to provide free and objective counseling to persons with questions regarding Medicare related issues.

Approximately 57 SHIP volunteers provided 910 hours of counseling saving Southeast Tennessee residents over $1.3 million dollars!

Pictured L to R: Christin McWhorterSETAAAD Community Outreach Manager, Shannon Jones-TCAD TN SHIP Director, Jim Shulman-TCAD Director, Crystal FairchildSETAAAD SHIP Coordinator, Helen CahillSETAAAD SHIP Volunteer Coordinator

NEW PROGRAMS THAT ROLLED OUT THIS YEAR SETAAAD was pleased to annouce this year that three new programs have been addeded to our lsit of services: The Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse (CREVAA) Programworked with local District Attorneys and Adult Protective Services to assist 15 clients during the fourth quarter of FY18 by providig food, clothing, home repair, referrals and other supports. The mission is to provide emergency services and coordiante the provision of long-term services and supports for elder and vulnerable adult victims of crime in a trauma-informed, person-centered manner.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- 756 contacts since March 2018. In 2016, TCAD partnered with MTSU to conduct a Tennessee Older Adult Specific Food Insecurity Study. The results were alarming and showed at least 115,000 Older Tennesseans worry about where their next meal will come from. The TN Dept. of Human Services, Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability and the AAAD’s from across the state partnered to expand outreach, screening and application-assistance for adults 60 and older for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SETAAAD now has a SNAP Benefits Coordinator, Amy Wilson 423.424.4281, dedicated to informing, educating and assisting older adults in SE TN who may be eligible to enroll in SNAP. Volunteer Assisted Transportation- SETAAAD received funding through the Elder Trust/Senior Trust Settlement to launch a Volunteer Assisted Transportation Program, called MyRide TN Southeast. The mission is to improve the quality of life for older adults by providing courteous and safe door-through-door transporation services to those eligible, enabling them to access essential services and maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life. A steering committee of community stakeholders assisted in developing the framwork for Bradley County which will be the first in our region to begin this service.

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ANNUAL REPORT

southeast tennessee local workforce development area

cares • works • builds

We provide convenient, accessible workforce services to job seekers as well as businesses and industry. www.sedev.org13

setworks • services

southeast tennesssee local workforce development area

setworks provides you with accessible workforce services to help develop and retain jobs and careers.

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Business Services American Job Centers Work Experience On-the-Job Training

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Southeast Tennessee Local Workforce Development Board (STLWDB), appointed by the county mayors and certified by the Governor, includes representatives of private business/industry, education, economic development, labor, and community based organizations. Business partners make up the majority of the board membership and contribute to the strategic development by maintaining a leadership role on the board.

The STLWDB provides policy and oversight for all workforce development activities in the 10 county region throughout Southeast Tennessee: Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie. The Southeast Tennessee Development District has been designated as the Fiscal Agent and Administrative Entity, or Staff to the Board. SETD is the contracting agent for the One-Stop Operator and Career Services Providers in the American Job Center system throughout Southeast Tennessee.

BUSINESS SERVICES The STLWDB offers business services to local employers by administering grants, including Consolidated Business Grants, for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) which requires a small match either from training costs or wages. IWT allows the employee to improve skills and increase earnings while helping the employer stay competitive in the market. The board also can provide grants for On-the-Job Training (OJT) to reimburse the employer up to 50% of the training wages for newly hired employees without entry level skills or experience. Employers may allow Youth ages 16-24 the opportunity to earn stipends by agreeing to be a worksite for subsidized work experience opportunities. Job seekers are matched with the employer though career services within the American Job Center network for OJT and Youth Work Experience. When layoffs occur, STLWDB will work with employers to provide Rapid Response services to Dislocated Workers to inform them of services available to them through the American Job Center Network.

These services are offered onsite and include information about training and employment opportunities.

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ANNUAL REPORT

AMERICAN JOB CENTERS The American Job Center, established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ACT (WIOA), is a network of partner programs working together to deliver a comprehensive array of services to achieve shared outcomes of employment, education, measurable skills gains, and earnings. Partners include:

AJC Locations American Job Center— Athens 410 N. Congress Parkway Athens, TN 37403 423-745-2028 American Job Center— Chattanooga 5600 Brainerd Road Suite A-5 Chattanooga, TN 37411 423-894-5354 American Job Center— Cleveland 3535 Adkisson Drive CSCC Technology Building—Room130 Cleveland, TN 37311 423-790-5552 American Job Center— Dayton 200 4th Avenue Dayton, TN 37421 423-570-1107 American Job Center— Kimball 5510 US Hwy 41 Jasper, TN 37347 423-837-9103 Mobile AJC Onsite Services Self book at:

www.CareerCoach.Info@tn.com 16

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WORK EXPERIENCE LEADS TO INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT Jacob could not tell you where he was born nor, could he tell you much about when he was young.

He graduated high school with a Special Education Diploma and was enrolled in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Jacob was referred to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center (TRC) to receive training for custodial and housekeeping services. As they described Jacob, “He won’t just do the work how you show him, he’ll do it better.”

Jacob’s next goal was to apply what he learned.

VR referred Jacob to the American Job Center in Dayton to speak with a career specialist about potential employers. An opportunity came through Mr. George Thacker, Rhea County Executive and business owner for the Howard Johnson Hotel in Spring City, TN. The results of his training at TRC were apparent. It wasn’t long before the manager, Ms. Jennifer Freeman, was praising Jacob for his work ethic. She said he put so much effort and detail into his job that she began to tell the other staff members that he was setting an example for how they should be working. Ms. Freeman said “If it wasn’t for this program, we might never have had the chance to work with Jacob. It’s crazy because he truly is one of the best workers we have had.”

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING SUCCESS Jack Findley suffered some medical problems that cost him his job. With a young family to support, he needed to secure a career that would meet his responsibilities. Jack was encouraged to visit the American Job Center in Kimball for career counseling and learn about potential re-training options.

After meeting with Title I staff and completing a few assessments, Jack learned about training opportunities for the Industrial Electricity program through TCAT Chattanooga. With WIOA assistance, Jack enrolled in training and made the first step in his employment plan to become self-sufficient once again. Upon completing the training program, he entered On-the-Job Training (OJT) with Valmont Newmark in Jasper.

Jack remains at Valmont Newmark as a full-time Maintenance Electrician and continues to grow with the company. He states that he loves his new career and is grateful to the American Job Center for all of their support and guidance to get him back on his feet.

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community and economic development

cares • works • builds

We work to help businesses and industry grow and prosper.

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www.sedev.org

setbuilds • services

community & economic development

setbuilds works with you to change people’s lives, build better places and create economic prosperity.

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Business Loan Development Grant Writing and Project Administration Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 18 Historic Preservation Housing Development Local Planning Assistance Local Update of Census Adresses (LUCA) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Rural Planning Organization (RPO) Solid Waste Assistance (TDEC) Southeast Industrial Development Association (SEIDA) Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association (SETTA) Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR)

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ANNUAL REPORT

We partner with local governments to develop climates where businesses and industry can grow and prosper, creating new jobs and capital investment. We focus on positive community development, which includes growth planning (developing critical infrastructure) that leads to successful economic development and creates places where talent will want to live, work and play.

BUSINESS LOAN DEVELOPMENT Helping businesses start and grow by making available loan funds through programs such as US EDA Revolving Loan Fund and the USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program as well as revolving loan funds for special local governments.

During FY18, our loan portfolio showed a total of 27 loans, 247 jobs (created/retained) and total project costs of $5,525,608.

$2,880,950

$2,644,658

GRANT WRITING AND PROJECT ADMINISTRATION SETD has worked diligently this past year assisting in the writing and administering of grants across a wide spectrum of projects. Grants included are as follows along with chart of grant amount and total project costs below: Grant Amount & Total Project Costs • Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) • CDBG Facade Grants • Economic Development Administration (EDA) • Economic Development Fast-track • HOME Housing Rehabilitation Grants • Local Parks and Recreation Grants • TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) • TN Department of Transportation (TDOT)

ARC Grant Funds CDBG Funds

EPA Brownfields Grant Health Grants

Historic Preservation Grants Housing Grants

Grant Amount

Local Parks and Recs Grant

Total Project Cost

National Park Service

Recreational Trail Program TDEC Grant Funds

TDOT Grant Funds TNECD Grant Funds

Tourism Enhancement Grant $0

$5

$10

$15

$20 Millions

2018 CDBG In January 2018, TN Gov. Bill Haslam and TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe announce 66 CDBG grants, approving nearly $25.5 million, which assist communities with infrastructure improvements, health and safety initiatives and facade improvements in downtown commerical districts. Of the 21 applications submitted in 2017 on behalf of our local governments, 11 grants were awarded totaling $4,711,200 to the following communities: City of Athens, City of Etowah, Town of Jasper, McMinn Co., City of Niota, Town of Palmer, City of Pikeville, Polk County, City of Red Bank, Rhea County, and City of Sweetwater. [source:TNECD] We are pleased to report that our team developed and submitted 14 CDBG grant applications on February 23, 2018 on behalf of local governments, totaling $3,435,141 in project costs and $2,470,256 in grant requests.

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HISTORIC PRESERVATION Works with communities that seek to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, landscapes and sites of historical significance. The Historic Preservation Planner, in conjunction with the Tennessee Historical Commission, offers technical assistance with the following federal and state programs: • Certified Local Government Programs HISTORIC PRESERVATION AMOUNT PROJECT • Historic Preservation Grants • Historic Markers Program Bledsoe Historical Survey $26,000 • Investment Tax Credit Program NPS Intermountain Trail $99,500 • National Register of Historic Places Division: retracement trail at • Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Blythe Ferry Act CDBG Commercial Façade Grant $100,000 We are pleased to report the Whitwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church was passed by the state review board as next steps are taken to be listed on the National Register.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) Outlines a vision for the region and sets forth an ambitious plan to prepare communities for longterm resilience and prosperity. Visit www.sedev.org/reports to view the 2018 report.

Athens, TN Rhea County Courthouse roof and HPF grant

$826,500

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Provides technical assistance and grant writing to communities and assist in the development of non-profit organizations who are interested in low-income housing in our service area. Additional programs that are provided through housing development, which are funded through grants from Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), are the Emergency Repair for the Elderly (ERP) and the HOME Program. This past year 45 homes were repaired using these grants (please see chart below).

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GRANT TYPE

TOTAL GRANT AMOUNT

HOMES REPAIRED

www.sedev.org

TOTAL 45

HOME

$4,250,000

2

ERP

$417,850

43 15 completed with inkind labor agencies 28 completed with traditional matching funds

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ANNUAL REPORT

LOCAL PLANNING ASSISTANCE (LPA) SETD’s team of professsional planners works with municipal and regional planning commissions to achieve their vision of creating livable, accessible, and desirable downtowns and neighborhoods.

On October 23-24, 2017, planning staff provided two planning commissioner training sessions to comply with Public Chapter 862. Approximately 116 planning commissioners from the region participated in the training on rezoning with a future land use map, defining a “subdivision” in Tennessee, a look at subdivison plats and CDBG fair housing session.

LOCAL UPDATE OF CENSUS ADDRESSES (LUCA) SETD staff assisted local governments under contract with the required Local Update of Census Addresses or LUCA. Staff reviewed Address list to determine if any residences were missed which can impact tax collections and legislative representation. Over 26,000 addresses were added to the census address list with the potential to increase tax revenue by over $7 million.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) Our team provides GIS services including maps, database management and data analysis to the SETD region. We have worked this past year on obtaining Northwest Georgia GIS data along with Online Interactive Zoning Maps, LPA Community Webpages and Online Opportunity Zones Map. RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION (RPO) RPO’s purpose is to facilitate input from rural counties to the Tennessee Department of Transortation (TDOT) for transportation planning. RPOs work with TDOT to identify the Southeast Tennessee region’s needs regarding highways, transit, bike/pedestrian issues, avaiation and waterways. Over the last year, our team has administered approximately $7,221,881 in grant funds from TDOT with total project costs of $9,169,957.

SOLID WASTE ASSISTANCE (TDEC) Through a contract with the Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), our team provides solid waste management assistance to the region. SETD comunities received assistance in county Disaster Debris Management Plans, education on sufficient and environmentally sound disposal and help with application for grants to update county solid waste equipment and facilities. This year, our team worked Tennessee Department of Environment Conservation (TDEC) Clean Energy, TDEC Green Development and Clean Tennessee Energy Grants to name a few.

www.sedev.org 22

SEIDA served SETD communities by assisting businesses with locations, expansions, identification of financing opportunities, infrastructure development and marketing and demographic research.

To ensure our communities are best positioned for economic growth, the SEIDA team received and prepared a total of 74 Request for Information (RFI)/Request for Proposals (RFP), assisted with 7 propspective company visits and attended numerous Industrial Development Board (IDB) meetings throughout the region.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SOUTHEAST INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (SEIDA) Providing economic development services for a 22-county region in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Visit our website at www.seida.info

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY GRANT ADMINISTRATION our economic development team is administering the following industrial projects: • Denso ARC Grant • Grundy County Site Development Grant • Huber ED Fast Track Grant • Lodge Manufacturing ED Fast Track Grant • McMinn County Site Development Grant • Nokian Tyres Capital Grant • Nokian Tyres RD Grant • Nokian Tyres ARC Grant • North Dayton Industrial Park EDA • Shaw ED Fast Track • TAG Plastics ARC Grant & ED Fast Track Grant

SEQUACHEE VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE TO BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO MARION COUTNY [THE ONLY GIG IN TOWN] On March 2, 2018, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) recently announced the launch of a new subsidiary, SVEConnect that will bring high-speed internet service to SVEC members in Marion County, excluding the Monteagle area. The cooperative will also offer phone and television services. This network allows SVEC to incorporate smart grid technology into its daily operations, improve integration of distributed photo courtesy of: sveconnect energy resources and help lower power costs through interactive energy management programs. [source:sveconnect.com]

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ANNUAL REPORT

SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE TOURISM ASSOCIATION (SETTA) The official visitor’s guide for vacationers, explorers, and enthusiast who want to discover and experience all that Southeast Tennessee has to offer.

@SoutheastTennessee @SoutheastTennessee #SoutheastTN

SETTA serves SETD communities by marketing the Southeast Tennessee’s scenic landscape and promoting our beautiful rivers and mountains, local food and farms, Civil War and Native American history, regional music and art, one-of-a-kind festivals, and religious heritage.

BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND MOVES TO GRUNDY COUNTY, TN On August 18, 2017, it was announced Bluegrass Underground, the international concert destination and 13-time EMMY award-winning PBS music series, has found a new, permanent home in The Caverns, located in Grundy County near Pelham, TN, at the base of Monteagle Mountain.

The new venue boasts singular natural acoustics and will accommodate many more subterranean music lovers in response to increasing demand for tickets to Bluegrass Underground and for other live music concerts across expanding genres.

HIWASSEE BLUEWAY SIGNAGE In October, the first Hiwassee Blueway Pictured L to R: Jenni Veal, SETTA; Kevin Triplett, Tn Dept. of Tourism Dev; Alison Bullock, National Park sings were unveiled along the Hiwassee River Service; Gary Farlow, Cleveland-Bradley Chamber of Commerce. Banner photo, Allen Mincey in Charleston, TN. The Hiwassee River Blueway received a $30,000 grant from Lyndhurst Foundation for Phase 2 signage and canoe launch at Hwy 411 boat ramp.

TENNESSEE ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (TACIR) In order to accurately portray the infrastructure needs across Tennessee to the General Assembly, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) developed the Infrastructure Needs Inventory. TACIR partners with the development districts across the state to gather this information, which proves beneficial in providing an avenue for long-range planning across the region This past year, SETD’s team conducted interviews with local and state agencies to compile an inventory of governmental and school system infrastructure needs. The latest TACIR Infrastructure Needs Inventory was published in January of 2018. Statewide, a total of over $45 billion worth of needs were reported. The top 3 areas of identified need were (1) transportation, (2) post-secondary education, and (3) Water and Wastewater. For more information and/or view the latest TACIR report visit www.tn.gov/tacir/.

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Among the 176 identified zones, 17 tracts are located within SETD’s ten-county service areea.

The Qualified Opportunity Zone community development benefit was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed in 2017. The federal benefit is designed to encourage long-term investment in low-income communities through Qualified Opportunity Funds. [photo courtesy of:dailypostathenian.com]

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT OF STATE’S INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES On June 5, 2017, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and TN Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Bob Rolfe recently announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have approved Tennessee’s nomination of 176 Opportunity Zones. SETD Staff coordinated regional recommendations that were submitted to the Governor for consideration.

SHAW INVESTS $42 MILLION AT MEIGS COUNTY, TN CARPET PLANT In October 2017, Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) announced plans to invest more than $42 million in its Meigs County, Tenn. carpet plant to modernize the facility allowing the company to use both nylon and polyester fiber at this facility. Shaw is the largest employer in Meigs employing approximately 370 associates. This investment will create 75 new jobs.

VW TO INVEST $340 MILLION IN NEW 5-SEAT, CHATTANOOGA-BUILT SUV On March 19, 2018 Saying a five-seat version of the Atlas SUV fits in one of the hottestselling parts of the U.S. market, Volkswagen pledged to spend $340 million to build a third vehicle in Chattanooga. Production is to start in the last quarter of 2019; the new SUV will have four doors, like the Atlas, though just two rows of seats instead of three. No name of price for the new SUV was disclosed.

Gov. Bill Haslam cited the new money VW plans to spend, which brings the German auto maker’s investment to more than $2.1 billion related to its Chattanooga factory over a decade or so. “When VW said they were committed to Chattanooga, they meant it,” he said. [source:timesfreepress]

photos courtsey of: TimesFreePress

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funding partners

CHATTANOOGA AREA REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/SETD special thanks to our funding partners:

FEDERAL Appalachian Regional Commission Department of Interior (National Park Service) US Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration US Department of Health and Human Services (TN Commission on Aging and Disability and TN Department of Human Services) US Department of Housing and Urban Development US Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration US Rural Development STATE Bureau of TennCare TN Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations TN Arts Commission TN Commission on Aging & Disability TN Department of Children’s Services TN Department of Economic and Community Development TN Department of Environment and Conservation • Recreation Education Service • Solid Waste • TN Historical Commission TN Department of Health TN Department of Human Services TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development • LWD- Region 5- Career Center Partners TN Department of Transportation TN Department of Treasury TN Department of Tourist Development TN Housing Development Agency

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LOCAL & REGIONAL All Local City and County Governments served by the Southeast Tennessee Development District Lyndhurst Foundation Meals on Wheels America Nashville Community Foundation TN Elder Trust Southeast Development Foundation Southeast Industrial Development Association (SEDIA) Tennessee Valley Authority & Power Distributors (SEIDA region) United Way McMinn/Meigs

50 years of regional collaboration

1968 - 2018

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Southeast Tennessee Development 1000 Riverfront Pkwy P.O. Box 4757 Chattanooga, TN 37405-0757

www.sedev.org

@SETNDevelopmentDistrict @southeast tennessee development district